A new body of educational research is now showing that there are many things teachers, principals, and schools can do to improve student performance. Effective teachers do five things: (1) focus teaching and curriculum selection on the basic skills; (2) provide most instruction to the class as a whole; (3) maintain a high student success rate; (4) monitor individual performance; and (5) have a well-organized classroom. Effective principals: (1) use the status and power of their position to set strategic goals for the school; (2) function as the instruction leader of the school by using instruction management strategies; (3) have and use knowledge and skills needed for effective instruction; (4) develop a school climate characterized by specific conditions; and (5) exhibit an open, professional and collegial style. Six important elements of effective schools are in the areas of management, academic focus, evaluation, attitudes, climate, and organization. These findings can provide a policy base for developing education policies in state education improvement programs. (JMK)